Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Medford, MA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 40.4% of gross income.

Medford rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).

Medford median rent
$3,419/mo
Dental Hygienist salary (Massachusetts)
$101,512/yr
Rent as % of income
40.4%
Gross monthly income works out to about $8,459, and the 30% rule supports up to $2,538/mo in rent. Medford's median rent of $3,419 exceeds that threshold by $881/mo, putting a dental hygienist salary into the rent-burdened range here. A dental hygienist works roughly 70.1 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental hygienist salary

Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Medford, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:

Boston, MA
$3,413/mo (40.3% of income)
Needham, MA
$3,399/mo (40.2% of income)
Needham, MA
$3,395/mo (40.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Medford

View full rent data for Medford, MA

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Medford, MA?

Median rent in Medford is $3,419 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Massachusetts earns about $101,512 a year, which makes that rent 40.4% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Medford?

Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in Massachusetts (~$101,512/yr) supports up to $2,538 a month in rent. Medford's current median rent is $3,419/mo, which is $881/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Medford?

At an hourly equivalent of about $49 an hour, a dental hygienist in Massachusetts works roughly 70.1 hours a month to cover Medford's median rent of $3,419.

Where is rent cheaper than Medford for a dental hygienist?

Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Boston ($3,413/mo), Needham ($3,399/mo), Needham ($3,395/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Massachusetts state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Medford, MA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.